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City Report · MA

Saugus

Pop. 28,773·30th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,990/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.6%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
+$1,028
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Saugus · $2,990
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,990/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$120,000/yr
Local median income
$101,539/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Saugus's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,000
1 BR
$2,140
2 BR
$2,550
3 BR
$3,080
4 BR+
$3,390
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,550/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,990 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$35,880/yr
At $2,990/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 4.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.6% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Saugus, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,773
Median income
$101,539
Median age
44.5
Renters
28.5%
Age distribution
15.2%
22.3%
25.9%
14.5%
22%
Under 1815.2%
18–3422.3%
35–5425.9%
55–6414.5%
65+22%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
72.9%
12.4%
White72.9%
Black5.4%
Hispanic12.4%
Asian3.5%
Other5.8%
Education (25+)
34.4%
24.8%
31.4%
No HS diploma9.4%
HS diploma34.4%
Some college24.8%
Bachelor's+31.4%
Housing tenure
71.5%
28.5%
Owner71.5%
Renter28.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Saugus, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$93,737 → $101,539
up 8.3%
Population
28,521 → 28,773
up 0.9%
Renter share
22.4% → 28.5%
+6.1 pts
Bachelor's+
31.7% → 31.4%
-0.3 pts
Median age
43.6 → 44.5
+0.9 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Saugus, MA now reports about $101,539, up from $93,737 in 2021. About 28.5% of households rent today, against 22.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Saugus

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View Saugus rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Saugus on your salary?

At $2,990/mo, how Saugus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Saugus rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Saugus. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Saugus

About renting in Saugus, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Saugus is $2,990/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,080/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($101,539/yr), Saugus ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Saugus an affordable city for renters?

Saugus is considered moderate for renters. At $2,990/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($101,539/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Saugus slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Saugus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $120,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,990/mo in Saugus. The local median household income is $101,539/yr, meaning the typical Saugus household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Saugus?

Rent in Saugus has decreased 4.6% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Saugus rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Saugus is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #30 out of 112 tracked cities at $2,990/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Saugus?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Saugus ($2,990/mo): Lynn ($2,307/mo), Revere ($2,828/mo), Wakefield ($2,838/mo).

What percentage of Saugus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.5% of Saugus households are renters, while 71.5% are owner-occupied. Saugus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Saugus rent compare to the national average?

Saugus's median rent of $2,990/mo is $1,028 (52%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #30 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,990/mo, rent takes ~35% of Saugus's median household income ($101,539/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Saugus 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Saugus affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Saugus
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Saugus, MA

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